History of Iberian Peninsula in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 10, 2025

The Iberian Peninsula, located in southwestern Europe, is largely isolated from the continent by the Pyrenees mountains. It primarily encompasses Spain and Portugal, along with Andorra, Gibraltar, and a small portion of France based on the traditional definition of the Pyrenees. Covering roughly 583,254 square kilometers and with a population of about 53 million, it's the second-largest European peninsula after Scandinavia.

1970: Accident on the Zaragoza-Pau rail line

In 1970, an accident on the French part of the international rail line across the Central Pyrenees, linking Zaragoza and the French city of Pau, destroyed a stretch of the railroad. Since then, the Canfranc Station has been a cul-de-sac.

1980: Joint study on fixed link across the Strait of Gibraltar

In 1980, Morocco and Spain initiated a joint study to explore the feasibility of constructing a fixed link, such as a tunnel or bridge, across the Strait of Gibraltar.

1992: Inauguration of Madrid-Seville high-speed rail line

In 1992, Spain inaugurated its first high-speed rail network with the Madrid–Seville line, using the 1,435 mm standard gauge.

1994: Discovery of Hominin Skeletons at Gran Dolina

In 1994, six hominin skeletons, dated between 780,000 and one million years ago, were found in the cave of Gran Dolina.

2008: Madrid-Barcelona high-speed rail line

In 2008, the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line was established.

2010: Madrid-Valencia high-speed rail line

In 2010, the Madrid–Valencia high-speed rail line was established.

2013: Alicante branch of Madrid-Valencia high-speed rail line

In 2013, an Alicante branch of the Madrid–Valencia high-speed rail line was established.

2019: Eurostat Data on Metropolitan Regions

According to Eurostat (2019), a report was made on metropolitan regions with a population over one million.

2020: Acceptance of Podarcis virescens as a species

In 2020, the Taxonomic Committee of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica accepted Podarcis virescens, a lizard native to the Iberian Peninsula, as a distinct species.

October 2021: Expiration of Pedro Duran Farell pipeline contract

In October 2021, the contract for the Pedro Duran Farell pipeline is set to expire, and amid a tense climate of Algerian–Moroccan relations, there are no plans to renew it.